The wise had gathered, young and old alike.
With Fang Tianyi seated, the All-Heavens Grand Gathering finally began in earnest.
The next moment, several masters of the Immortal Music Pavilion appeared together. Bearing flutes, bamboo pipes, zithers, and mouth organs, they played an ethereal melody, its clear notes lingering beneath the rafters like falling pearls and jade.
Seven stunning fairies entered to the music. Clad in rainbow skirts and feathered robes, they danced as though drifting clouds swayed along with them.
"Serve the birthday feast!"
At a command from the Hundred Refinements Immortal King, the attendants who had long waited outside entered the hall with graceful steps, carrying jade platters of delicacies between the tables.
Before long, eighty-one immortal dishes filled each guest's table. Their enticing aromas made mouths water.
With quite a few Divine Beasts present, the Hundred Refinements Immortal King had shown some restraint. He had omitted grand dishes like dragon liver and phoenix gall, serving mostly spiritual plants and immortal fruits from the Sacred Garden. They had an elegance all their own.
"When the Great Yan Divine Venerable was still in the Heavenly Realm, old Hundred Refinements handled all the affairs of the Heavenly Court. You can safely leave this to him."
Fang Tianyi lightly held his teacup and explained at his leisure.
Shen Yun nodded. He had seldom seen an occasion like this since his ascension, so he watched for a while and gradually came to appreciate its finer points.
He had to admit that the Hundred Refinements Immortal King had grown shrewd with age and had a keen eye for elegance.
Whether it was immortal music and dance or plays and variety acts, his arrangements never fell into cliché. Even a newcomer could appreciate something of their refinement.
After three rounds of wine and